The operator of the BTS Skytrain network has proposed fare reductions of 10%-15% instead of waiving the common ticketing base fare, says a source at the Transport Ministry.
The Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc (BTSC), which operates the main Sukhumvit and the Silom lines, does not want to waive the base fare, which is part of the agreement to sync with the common ticketing system, the source said.
According to the source, the base fare is between 14-15 baht while the BTSC's proposed discount will be between 6-9 baht.
Currently, passengers who use the MRT Blue line are exempted from paying the base fare when transferring to the MRT Purple Line and vice versa. The BTS Skytrain operator, however, does not want its base fare waived for customers interchanging from other transport systems. Instead, it said a discount would be a better option.
The common fare is part of the policy to implement a single ticketing system in which passengers can access all modes of mass transit in Bangkok with a single card, the source said.
The Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) has been asked to study how electric train fares could be adjusted to ensure fairness and affordability to all passengers.
Waiving the base fare is one only one of the possibilities.
Another factor contributing to the delay in the implementation of common ticketing is that the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) is unable to hand over the Security Access Module, a safe place to store sensitive key material used to access content/applications on smart cards, to other agencies.
The MRTA is expected to decide if it will develop the ticketing system or have the state-run Krungthai Bank do it, the source said, adding that implementation will be further delayed by 12-18 months from now.
Sumet Ongkittikul, director of the TDRI's Transport and Logistics Policy, said electric train fares in Thailand are very expensive when compared with Singapore and Hong Kong.
While Thai passengers pay an average fare of 67.4 baht per trip, those in Singapore and Hong Kong pay 25.7 baht per trip and 46.5 baht per trip respectively.